- Moquegua
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This article is about the city of Moquegua. For other uses, see Moquegua (disambiguation).
Moquegua — City — View of Moquegua
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Coat of armsCoordinates: 17°12′S 70°56′W / 17.2°S 70.933°W Country Peru Region Moquegua Region Province Mariscal Nieto District Moquegua District Government - Mayor Edmundo Eliseo Coayla Olivera Elevation 1,410 m (4,626 ft) Website www.munimoquegua.gob.pe Moquegua (Spanish pronunciation: [moˈkeɣwa], founded as Villa de Santa Catalina de Guadalcázar del Valle de Moquegua) is a city in southern Peru, located in the Moquegua Region, of which it is the regional capital. It is also capital of Mariscal Nieto Province and Moquegua District. It is located 1144 kilometers south from the capital city of Lima.
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History
There isn't any clear information about the Spanish conquest and the year of the city's foundation. However, it is said that the possible date for this may be November 25, 1541, by Pedro Cansino and his wife, Josefina de Bilbao.
The region where now stands the city was already known and populated since before the arrival of the Incas. According to the story of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, it was the Inca Emperor Mayta Cápac who organized the military expedition that extended his domains to the shore of the Pacific.
Tourism
This beautiful city, with beautiful landscapes, located in the mountains of the region of the same name has a lot of touristic attractions, which make it a popular destination in Peru.
The Plaza de Armas, is a very beautiful Main Square which is the center of the city. It was designed by French Architect Gustave Eiffel.
The Casa del Regidor Perpetuo de la Ciudad, is a unique old house built in the 18th century with a front of carved stone and it has beautiful antiques inside it.
The district of Torata, located 24 km away from the city, has traditional houses with mojinete roofs and an amazing church in which it's noticed the beautiful things carved in wood.
Cerro Baúl, a Wari Empire site on top of a hill outside of Moquegua.
Numerous Tiwanaku sites are also in the area, as it was an important colonial center for the Tiwanaku state. The valley is the only area to house both Wari and Tiwanaku colonists.
The Pan-American Highway passes through the city.
Economy
Moquegua's economy is largely based on mining. Moquegua's mining resources include copper, silver and gold.
External links
- (Spanish) Sur Noticias - Southern Peru news website
- (Spanish) Municipalidad de Moquegua - Moquegua Municipality
Categories:- Populated places in the Moquegua Region
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